Photo: Swagg · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bellevue than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellevue gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #48 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 62 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Bellevue’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bellevue faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Bellevue’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellevue, and Bellevue’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #48 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellevue’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Kentucky town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bellevue has less expected damage per building than 67% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Bellevue: $958K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellevue flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellevue, from FEMA’s records: 20.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bellevue isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Campbell County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellevue
Disasters that paid out in Bellevue itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bellevue), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$9K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Bellevue for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$13K to the City of Bellevue for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$27K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
Campbell County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bellevue after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellevue archive →Bellevue and its neighbors
Bellevue is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Thomas | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Bellevue | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Newport | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Dayton | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Bellevue faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bellevue
Is Bellevue at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellevue has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #48 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellevue flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in Bellevue since 1979, $401K in all, or 20.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bellevue in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Campbell County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellevue?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellevue’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bellevue?
By FEMA money that reached Bellevue, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $27K to the City of Bellevue for repairs.
Is Bellevue at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Bellevue’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellevue.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellevue’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.